While it has been confirmed that the band has officially retired, former members Alan Doyle and Séan McCann have continued performing in their own solo careers typically including music from Great Big Sea in their setlists.
The band played its first official concert on March 11, 1993, opening for The Irish Descendants at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's, Newfoundland. The founding band members included Alan Doyle (vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin), Séan McCann (vocals, bodhrán, guitar, tin whistle), Darrell Power (vocals, bass, guitar, bones), and Bob Hallett (vocals, fiddle, accordion, mandolin, concertina, bouzouki, whistles, bagpipes).
Power, McCann and Hallett had already been playing together in another band. In the winter of 1989, the band, a six-piece with guitar, bass, fiddle, accordion and mandolin played its first show at the Memorial University's winter carnival talent show under the name "Newfoundland Republican Army" or NRA, and won first prize. The band's only other appearance as NRA was later that winter at the university "Grad House". The band then dropped the fiddler, accordion player and the name.
The band found its new name as original bassist Jeff Scott rented an apartment on Rankin Street, St. John's, where the members first met and discussed the formation of the band. As a four-piece, the band first appeared as "Rankin Street" at a little pub in downtown St. John's called "The Rose and Thistle", playing for $100 and beer. They played through Sean McCann's stereo system, as renting a PA would have cost more than the night's earnings. Susan Hickey (guitar and vocals) left the band months later to attend school in Halifax and was replaced by Darrell Power. The band gained much popularity playing such local pubs as Bridget's and Greensleeves. In 1991 Jeff Scott was replaced by Jackie St. Croix on bass. The band released one recording on cassette titled "Rankin Street".
In 1997, the band reached the top ten of the Canadian RPM pop chart with "When I'm Up (I Can't Get Down)", a cover of a song by the British folk group Oysterband. They performed at the 1999 Stardust Picnic festival at Historic Fort York, Toronto.
The band won the Entertainer of the Year award at the East Coast Music Awards for every year between 1996 and 2000. In 2001, they decided not to submit their name for nomination in order to allow other bands to compete. They have also been nominated for several Juno Awards, including Group of the Year in 1998, 2005, 2009, and 2011.
Darrell Power retired from Great Big Sea in 2003 to spend more time with his family and friends. Supporting members of the band include Canadian freelance drummer Kris MacFarlane (2002) (drums, accordion, guitar, backing vocals) and Murray Foster (2003, formerly of the band Moxy Früvous) (bass, backing vocals).
In late 2005, the band released its long-awaited "traditional" album, The Hard and the Easy, on which they recorded their favourite Newfoundland party songs. The title of the album comes from a line of the song "Tickle Cove Pond", one of two songs on the album about a horse falling through ice.
On June 13, 2007, the band announced they would return to the studio with producer Hawksley Workman. On March 14, 2008, the band announced that the title of the new album would be Fortune's Favour, borrowing a phrase from one of the songs on the album, "England". The album was officially released on June 24, 2008 across all of North America.
On February 23, 2010, band member Séan McCann released his debut solo album Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes to pleasing critical success.
On July 13, 2010, Great Big Sea released their new album Safe Upon the Shore in North America. Alan's "From the Road" blog on the band's website, originally confirmed its production in an April posting, speaking also of the album's subsequent release in July. "Nothing But A Song" was the first single off the bands' ninth studio recording, with a subsequent tour kicking off at the end of the summer 2010.
Great Big Sea announced a 'greatest hits' album titled "XX" in October 2012, accompanied by a 20th anniversary tour with 32 dates in 28 cities across the US and Canada which kicked off on March 5, 2013 in Los Angeles and finished in St. John's on April 23, 2013.
In 2013, McCann announced that he would be leaving the band at the end of the XX tour, much to the dismay of his bandmates. Struggling to maintain his new sobriety, he told his bandmates in January of 2013 that XX would be his last tour with the band, but the rest of the band and its management refused to announce this publicly. Finally, in November 2013 with XX almost over, McCann announced his departure himself in a tweet, feeling that the fans needed to know. While largely vilified by Great Big Sea fans with little said by the band or management to counter this view, McCann claims he was devastated by how Great Big Sea ended and wishes it could have gone differently.
Following McCann's departure, the remaining band members spent a year or so trying to find an amicable way that they could continue without him. Eventually coming to the realization that they didn’t want to go on like that, and happily retiring the band.
Wandering Ways
Great Big Sea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways.
Woke up one morning to the slam of a door.
My lady had left me, she could take it no more!
The note on the table in black and white told:
We met last December while out on the tear.
The laughter it flowed with the wine and the beer!
I promised her riches, I said I'd be true,
She gave me a baby and the party was through.
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways.
Now I miss my lady, I miss her so much!
The smell of her hair and her comforting touch.
And I miss my boy and his ready smile!
They needed a man but I was a child.
I hope this song finds her wherever she is!
And if you see her, would you tell her this?
For ramblin' and rovin' I don't give a damn!
The boy that she left has grown into a man.
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways.
[Instrumental Lead-up]
There's lots to be said for being out on the tear.
As luck would have it the very next year,
I met her again and she'd seen how I'd grown!
Now we still go a ramblin, but we do it at home.
Come all you young ramblers wherever you are.
Beware of the ladies you meet at the bar!
The promise of pleasure can change your whole life.
You walk in with a wallet and walk out with a wife!
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways.
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways.
For this is the end of my wandering ways!
The song "Wandering Ways" by Great Big Sea delves into the life of a man who lives a wild, free-spirited lifestyle that he has grown tired of. He bids farewell to his drinking habits, smoking, and the women who were a part of his escapades. He reminisces about the time he met his lady while out partying and promised her everything, only to be abandoned due to his wandering ways. He misses his lady and their child, reflecting on how he was not ready to take on the responsibility of being a family man. However, he acknowledges that he has grown and matured since then, and hopes to reconnect with his past love.
The lyrics are a testament to the consequences that come with living a carefree life. It is a common theme in music and literature, but Great Big Sea provides a unique perspective by acknowledging the negative effects it can have on relationships and personal growth. The song also highlights the importance of learning from one's mistakes and growing as a person. The tone of the song is melancholic, but ultimately hopeful, as the singer acknowledges the folly of his wandering ways and hopes to make amends with his former love.
Line by Line Meaning
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
I am saying goodbye to my old habits of drinking whiskey and smoking tobacco.
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
I am saying goodbye to my old habits of drinking rum and having the occasional coke.
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
I am saying goodbye to the girls who were not interested in a long-term commitment and only wanted to engage in casual relationships.
For this is the end of my wandering ways.
I have decided to change my ways and no longer wander around and engage in casual relationships with women. This marks the end of that chapter in my life.
Woke up one morning to the slam of a door.
I was abruptly awoken by the sound of a door slamming shut.
My lady had left me, she could take it no more!
My girlfriend had left me, as she could no longer tolerate my wandering ways and lack of commitment to our relationship.
The note on the table in black and white told:
There was a note on the table, clearly stating the reason why she had left me.
My wandering ways had left her heart cold.
My inability to commit to our relationship and engage in casual relationships had caused my girlfriend to become emotionally distant and cold towards me.
We met last December while out on the tear.
We met last December while out drinking and having a good time.
The laughter it flowed with the wine and the beer!
We were laughing and having a good time while drinking wine and beer.
I promised her riches, I said I'd be true,
I made promises to my girlfriend that I would be loyal and provide her with material possessions.
She gave me a baby and the party was through.
When my girlfriend gave birth to our child, it marked the end of our partying lifestyle and the beginning of a more serious chapter in our lives.
Now I miss my lady, I miss her so much!
I miss my girlfriend and long for her company.
The smell of her hair and her comforting touch.
I miss the scent of her hair and the comfort of her touch.
And I miss my boy and his ready smile!
I also miss my son and his happy expression.
They needed a man but I was a child.
My girlfriend and son needed me to step up and be a responsible, committed partner and father, but I was acting like a child by prioritizing my wandering ways.
I hope this song finds her wherever she is!
I hope that my girlfriend hears this song and knows that I am thinking of her, even if we are no longer together.
And if you see her, would you tell her this?
If you happen to see my ex-girlfriend, can you pass on this message to her?
For ramblin' and rovin' I don't give a damn!
I no longer care about wandering around and engaging in casual relationships.
The boy that she left has grown into a man.
I have matured and grown up since my girlfriend left me and have become a responsible, committed man.
There's lots to be said for being out on the tear.
There are many enjoyable experiences that can be had while out drinking and socializing.
As luck would have it the very next year,
Coincidentally, the very next year after my girlfriend left me, something happened.
I met her again and she'd seen how I'd grown!
I ran into my ex-girlfriend again and she could see that I had matured and become a more reliable partner.
Now we still go a ramblin, but we do it at home.
Now my girlfriend and I still enjoy traveling and exploring new things, but we do it in a more responsible way and from the comfort of our own home.
Come all you young ramblers wherever you are.
I am addressing all young adults who engage in wandering and casual relationships.
Beware of the ladies you meet at the bar!
Be cautious of the women you meet in bars and nightclubs, as they may not be looking for a serious relationship.
The promise of pleasure can change your whole life.
The temptation of immediate pleasure can have long-lasting consequences and drastically alter the course of your life.
You walk in with a wallet and walk out with a wife!
You may enter a bar with a focus on having fun, but you may leave with a wife if you are not careful and find yourself in a serious relationship.
For this is the end of my wandering ways.
I have decided to change my ways and no longer wander around and engage in casual relationships with women. This marks the end of that chapter in my life.
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
I am saying goodbye to my old habits of drinking whiskey and smoking tobacco.
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
I am saying goodbye to my old habits of drinking rum and having the occasional coke.
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
I am saying goodbye to the girls who were not interested in a long-term commitment and only wanted to engage in casual relationships.
For this is the end of my wandering ways.
I have decided to change my ways and no longer wander around and engage in casual relationships with women. This marks the end of that chapter in my life.
Contributed by Vivian H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kaylee hakkers
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways
Woke up one morning to the slam of a door
My lady had left me, she could take it no more!
The note on the table in black and white told:
My wandering ways had left her heart cold
We met last December while out on the tear
The laughter it flowed with the wine and the beer!
I promised her riches, I said I'd be true
She gave me a baby and the party was through
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways
Now I miss my lady, I miss her so much!
The smell of her hair and her comforting touch
And I miss my boy and his ready smile!
They needed a man but I was a child
I hope this song finds her wherever she is!
And if you see her, would you tell her this?
For ramblin' and rovin' I don't give a damn!
The boy that she left has grown into a man
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways
[Instrumental Lead-up]
There's lots to be said for being out on the tear
As luck would have it the very next year
I met her again and she'd seen how I'd grown!
Now we still go a ramblin, but we do it at home
Come all you young ramblers wherever you are
Beware of the ladies you meet at the bar!
The promise of pleasure can change your whole life
You walk in with a wallet and walk out with a wife!
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways
For this is the end of my wandering ways!
gdgest
This is a terrific song, upbeat, lively, and foot-tapping. Thanks for sharing. :-)
Kaylee hakkers
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways
Woke up one morning to the slam of a door
My lady had left me, she could take it no more!
The note on the table in black and white told:
My wandering ways had left her heart cold
We met last December while out on the tear
The laughter it flowed with the wine and the beer!
I promised her riches, I said I'd be true
She gave me a baby and the party was through
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways
Now I miss my lady, I miss her so much!
The smell of her hair and her comforting touch
And I miss my boy and his ready smile!
They needed a man but I was a child
I hope this song finds her wherever she is!
And if you see her, would you tell her this?
For ramblin' and rovin' I don't give a damn!
The boy that she left has grown into a man
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways
[Instrumental Lead-up]
There's lots to be said for being out on the tear
As luck would have it the very next year
I met her again and she'd seen how I'd grown!
Now we still go a ramblin, but we do it at home
Come all you young ramblers wherever you are
Beware of the ladies you meet at the bar!
The promise of pleasure can change your whole life
You walk in with a wallet and walk out with a wife!
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways
For this is the end of my wandering ways!
Cody Bowens
I'm not ready yet but one day I'll be able to say..
Farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke!
Farewell to the rum and occasional coke!
Farewell to the girls who came ready to play!
For this is the end of my wandering ways.
Aramis419
I love "The Minstrel Boy" interlude!
Overland Exploring
YES I FOUND IT! THANK YOU GOD!
T Loftis
Hubby to be is playing this at our reception. Which should be hilarious. *facedesk*
Goodpie2
I'm doing this if I ever get married now. I think I'll play it at my best friend's, too...
DV DODDS
Murray Foster is a great Bass Player (no disrespect to Darrell Power intended).
LizMePlz
Walk in with a wallet and walk out with a wife!
Ghost of Smokey Joe
Definitely superior to the one by Will Tun and the Wasters.